An Unforgettable Experience

In my English class with Ms. Reed, we were talking about what to expect on the CAHSEE. Part of this exam consists of a timed essay. In order to prepare for this, we did a practice timed essay. The topic was an unforgettable experience. I searched through my memory trying to find an experience that made me who I am. The first thing that came to mind was my freshman year. I dug deeper to try to find a specific event. Freshman year was crazy, but the biggest thing that happened to me was my first heartbreak. So, in my essay I poured my heart out and I painted the page with my feelings. For a long time, I was too scared to talk about how I felt, but this essay helped me express myself. So here it is...

Freshman year is one of the hardest times in a girl's life. New school, new friends, puberty, life changing experiences, and BOYS!!!

High school is like a new beginning. You can change your style and even your whole image. But, a young teenage girl's biggest desire is to have a boy's affection. Our whole world at this time revolves around trying to impress boys or catch their attention.

This was me! By the beginning of my freshman year, I thought I was the luckiest girl in the world. My boyfriend seemed so perfect and sweet to me. He had no flaws in my eyes because I thought I was in love. We went to different schools, but I thought we still maintained a great relationship. I blushed at the sound of his name. I smiled when we would make eye contact and look away. He even bought me a promise ring for Christmas. My life seemed like a dream. But sooner or later, you have to wake up.

On January 23, it seemed like my whole world fell apart. We had just celebrated our 13 month anniversary and I thought nothing could stand in our way, But, in that dark January I received a text from my boyfriend saying he didn't want me anymore. I cried and asked him why. He told me that he didn't know what he wanted anymore and was afraid to disappoint me because he wasn't a very good boyfriend. It really hurt me that he thought that little of me that he had to dump me in a text. I felt so empty and useless. I cried for days hoping that it had all just been a nightmare and that I would be jolted awake by my alarm. Unfortunately, the days dragged on.

But, by the end of May, I felt like a new person, a stronger person. It took me a while to realize that the break up was not my fault. As time passed, I discovered myself and knew that everything was going to be okay. The nightmare was finally ending.

It still amazes me how quickly your life changes focus. One day you can be totally in love with someone, and the next, you can despise them. Even though my ex-boyfriend put me through a lot, I want to thank him. This unforgettable experience showed me that time really does heal. I am now a stronger person and I now know that even though something may seem horrible at the time, it is a blessing. I would not be the person that I am today without him. :)